To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15
There are times in life when the enemy's attacks seem to be the strongest. He likes to keep us in a state of doubt.
Purity is an issue about which he can cause a great deal of confusion. Either something is pure, or it is not. Either our minds and consciences are pure or they are corrupt. Either we are perfect or we are not.
Of course, we are imperfect, so we must be corrupt. And if we are corrupt, we must be like the world - forever lost in our sin. If we are forever lost, why should we even attempt to be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined?
Wow! That was a quick and easy trip from purity to impurity - from good to evil - from life to death. What an amazing liar the enemy is! He wants us to focus on aspects of the truth. He wants us to remember that we are imperfect, so we must be lost.
What the enemy doesn't want us to remember is: GRACE. He doesn't want us to see the hope that Christ gave us - the hope of righteousness by His blood.
Lord, to read Paul's words about the characteristics required of an elder makes me feel unworthy. I feel so far away from self-control and discipline at times that I feel unqualified for service. Help me to grasp the hope that comes with the truth. No man is holy by his own action - nor will I be. Give me the strength to face the challenges of today. Give me the power to remind the enemy that the only one without hope is him. He is the one who is forever lost.
Your Grace is amazing.